Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota - CUB

08/21/2026

Today, CUB filed a petition with the PUC requesting it to reconsider allowing Xcel to increase the amount it charges to ratepayers to fund the company’s return.

At the conclusion of Xcel's latest rate case, the PUC allowed the company to increase its authorized return on equity to 9.6%. This increase is estimated to add approximately $34 million to costs paid by Minnesota customers each year.

Xcel does not need a higher ROE, and Minnesotans can’t afford it.

More on CUB's website at the 🔗 in comments

08/13/2026

Ready to take control of your energy bills⚡️? Join us for a FREE Home Energy Savings Workshop on Tuesday, August 18th from 5:30–7:30 PM at the East Side Freedom Library (1105 Greenbrier St, Saint Paul, MN 55106)!

Whether you're a homeowner or renter, this workshop is packed with practical info to help you save money and stay comfortable year-round. Here's what you'll walk away with:

🔌 A better understanding of your home energy usage and how it impacts your bill
🛠️ DIY tips and tricks for cutting energy costs on your own
💰 Info on money-saving upgrades for your home
🏠 Options for free or reduced-cost energy upgrades you may qualify for

Light food will be provided, plus you'll walk away with FREE energy-saving supplies and gift cards to Kendalls ACE Hardware. 🎁

This event is brought to you by Good Energy Connections, East Side Freedom Library, Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), all working together to make energy savings accessible to everyone in our community.

📍 East Side Freedom Library, 1105 Greenbrier St, Saint Paul, MN 55106
🗓️ Tuesday, August 18th | 5:30–7:30 PM

Have questions? Reach out to [email protected] or call (612) 208-9331. ¡Él habla español!

07/31/2026

The Minnesota PUC just issued its final written order in Xcel's latest request to increase electric rates. Minnesota customers could see their monthly bills go up as soon as this fall. While we dig into the order, read more about Xcel's electric rate case on our website:

On Thursday, June 18, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued a verbal decision on Xcel’s request for an electric rate increase. The decision will allow Xcel to collect about 5.8% more from its Minnesota customers. The specific amount that residential rates will increase is still to be confir...

07/16/2026

Minnesotans across the state are dealing with excessive heat and hazardous air quality. Here's what it looks like from CUB's office in downtown St. Paul.

☀️For all Minnesotans: Your electricity cannot be disconnected when an excessive heat watch, heat advisory, or excessive heat warning is issued by the National Weather Service. This applies regardless of whether you receive service from a public, municipal, or cooperative utility.

⚠️For Xcel and Dakota Electric customers: If you have a smart meter and your electricity has been shut off for non-payment, your utility offers the option to be reconnected to service during lengthy extreme heat or unhealthy air quality events (like right now). If you haven't been contacted directly, call 1-866-235-6881 (Xcel) or 1-800-874-3409 (Dakota Electric) to get reconnected.

If you have questions about these protections or are struggling to work with your utility, reach out to CUB for assistance at [email protected].

07/14/2026

Back in February, we launched the Lights On, Homes Warm fund to help Minnesotans struggling with their utility bills. Since then, we've been able to distribute over $300,000 in financial aid to 660 households from every corner of the state.

We now have enough contacts in the queue to deplete the funding available, and the is program coming to a close. All calls and emails received through July 10 will be returned, and applicants may be placed on a waitlist. We aim to disperse funding as soon as we are able, but it could be two months or more before the last payments are made. We are no longer able to accept further applications.

It's been an honor to provide this essential relief, but we know that paying utility bills will continue to be an issue for thousands of Minnesotans. Though the Lights On, Homes Warm utility bill fund will soon come to a close, CUB will continue to support and advocate for Minnesota ratepayers regardless of their situation.

More updates on the program, available in multiple languages, on our website: https://cubminnesota.org/lights-homes-warm

06/25/2026

On June 18, the PUC issued a verbal decision finalizing Xcel’s rate increase, which will allow Xcel to collect 5.8% more from its Minnesota customers. The specific increase to residential rates is still to be confirmed.

The PUC agreed with CUB on late fees and reconnection fees. Late fees will be reduced from 1.5% to 0.45% per month, and waived entirely for low-income customers. Reconnection fees will be waived for low-income customers.

The PUC disagreed with CUB’s testimony on Xcel’s return on equity, and authorized an ROE increase from 9.25% to 9.6%.

More info on the decision: https://cubminnesota.org/puc-issues-verbal-decision-xcel-electric-rate-increase

06/23/2026

THANK YOU to everyone who celebrated with us earlier this month for CUB's tenth anniversary! Our work isn't possible without partnership and community support. The chance to come together with all of you every summer powers us through the rest of the year.

Thank you to the partners who gave their time to share about their experience working with CUB: Ron Elwood from Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Joe Dammel from RMI, and Monse Perez Barrios from COPAL.

If you were unable to join us this year, you can still support CUB's work by making a donation: https://act.cubminnesota.org/donate_page

Thank you for standing with CUB for the past ten years of consumer advocacy. Here's to all the work we'll do together for another ten years to come.

06/10/2026

Our generous sponsors are essential to making CUB's Consumers Celebration possible and sustaining our year-round efforts to advocate for all Minnesota energy consumers.

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors, in recognition of their ongoing support:
Carolyn Foundation
McKnight Foundation
Morgan Family Foundation
U.S. Energy Foundation

See you tonight - Hamline University, Klas Center, 5pm!

06/09/2026

CUB's Consumers Celebration is tomorrow! Take a look at what you need to know about the event, the venue, parking, and more. See you soon!

⏰ When is the event? The reception opens at 5pm. The program begins promptly at 6pm, with a social hour beginning at 7pm.

📍 Where is the event? The Consumers Celebration is at Hamline University's Klas Center on the third floor (1537 West Taylor Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104).

🚗 What's the parking situation? Free parking is available just east of Klas Center. See the graphic below.

🚌 What's the transit situation? Hamline University is served by bus Number 84 on Snelling Avenue, the A-Line (rapid transit bus) on Snelling Avenue, and the Number 67 on Minnehaha Avenue.

🍽️ What's the food situation? This year we'll be serving sliders, salad, veggies, and dessert. Vegan and vegetarian options are available. A cash bar will be open before and after the program, and non-alcoholic options are available.

👐 Can't attend after all? Please consider making a contribution today to support CUB's work for Minnesota consumers.

❓ Questions about the event? Email James Birr at [email protected].

06/09/2026

Our generous sponsors are essential to making CUB's Consumers Celebration possible and sustaining our year-round efforts to advocate for all Minnesota energy consumers.

Thank you to our Platinum Level and Silver Level Sponsors:
Solar Bear MN
Great Plains Institute
CUB Board Member Beverly Jones Heydinger

We'll see you tomorrow night at the Consumers Celebration!